#Brazil #Okayama University #Exchange Program

Okayama University Students Named Ambassadors to Brazil

In a momentous ceremony held on August 7, 2025, at the Okayama Prefectural Office, three students from Okayama University received the esteemed title of "Sunny Country South America Exchange Ambassadors." The honorees, including two Master's students from the Graduate School of Education, Akitsuka Akiyoshika, and Risa Kishimoto, a fourth-year Economics student, along with Yota Irie, a first-year Economics student, will play a crucial role in strengthening ties between Okayama and Brazil, where 115 years of migration will be celebrated this year.

The initiative is part of the "Next Generation Exchange Program with South America," orchestrated by Okayama Prefecture. Following an open call for student participation, 40 applications were received from Okayama University alone, and after a rigorous selection process involving documentation and interviews, the trio was chosen as ambassadors.

During the appointment ceremony, Okayama Governor Ryuta Iharakki presented the ambassadors with their certificates and offered encouraging words urging them to convey the appreciation of Okayama’s people to the community in Brazil. "Please express gratitude for those on the other side of the planet who think about Okayama. Take care of yourselves and fully engage in this exchange," he said.

As representatives, Akitsuka expressed determination to weave new memories into the longstanding friendship between Okayama and Brazil, stating, “We will build upon the bonds crafted by our predecessors and connect them to the future, representing the younger generation.”

The ambassadorial group will travel to São Paulo, Brazil, from August 14 to 20, where they will participate in various activities such as dialogues with members of the local Okayama Prefectural Association, visits to memorial sites for settlers, the Japanese Migrant Museum, and the 115th-anniversary celebration events. Collaborative activities with local students will provide an excellent opportunity for them to immerse themselves in the culture and values through a planned homestay.

In addition to the planned discussions and ceremonies, the ambassadors will showcase Okayama's traditional dance